Earn an Associate Degree as an Early Childhood Specialist

The industry-driven Associate of Applied Science Degree Early Childhood Specialist provides students with a blend of content-specific knowledge and real-time skills for employment within pre-school childcare centers!

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Earn an Early Childhood Specialist Degree Designed for You

An Associate of Applied Science Degree as an Early Childhood Specialist builds administrative and management skills, helping students train for careers as pre-school childcare center teachers, teacher's aids and more!

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Are You a New Student?

Build a solid foundation for a promising career with our Associate of Applied Science as an Early Childhood Specialist. Blue Ridge CTC offers a blend of real-world knowledge and additional workforce skills employers look for in qualified applicants.

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Transferring Schools?

You are not alone, as almost a third of students transfer schools! Check our transfer evaluation tool to save money and time while transferring to our Associate of Applied Science as an Early Childhood Specialist.

556,000

New Job Openings

Projected for in-demand early childhood specialist roles by 2030!

18%

Job Growth

Projected for similar occupations between 2021 to 2030!

$30,210

Average Salary

Estimated for pre-school teachers and similar occupations.

    • As per BLS, there will be 556,000 new job vacancies in the early childhood care industry between 2020-30.
    • As per BLS, the average median salary is $30,210 for early childhood specialist careers.

Why Pursue an Associate Degree as an Early Childhood Specialist?

With a two-year Associate of Applied Science Degree as an Early Childhood Specialist, students prepare for pre-school childcare careers through a blend of theories and practice related to early childhood care. The degree includes:

    • Theories related to young children birth through age 6.
    • Age appropriate curriculum and classroom activities. 
    • Preparation for real-world early childhood careers. 
    • Pathways for a solid foundation of childhood development.

Become Career-Ready with an Early Childhood Specialist Degree

Ready to build a career as an Early Childhood Specialist? Our Early Childhood Specialist degree enables students to learn the theories and skills necessary for job opportunities within pre-school childcare centers.

This degree helps students to learn the aspects of cognitive, emotional, and physical development in young children related to early childhood care.

Earn our Associate of Applied Science Degree as an Early Childhood Specialist from our School of Workforce Development and Engineering Technologies!

2-Year

Degree Program

Formats

On-campus, Hybrid, Online

60

Credit Hours

Ready to Enroll?

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What Will You Learn? Curriculum Overview

With an associate degree as an Early Childhood Specialist, students learn to execute early childhood theories and practices real-life situations.

Our Early Childhood Specialist program helps students learn core concepts including introductions to childhood development, foundational childhood development, infant and toddler development and more!The curriculum helps students to:

    • Implement age-specific classroom activities and curriculum.
    • Learn skills to pursue management and supervisory roles.
    • Maintain childcare facility records as per West Virginia and Federal Law requirements.
    • Develop excellent professional speaking and writing skills.

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Build Your Future With Blue Ridge CTC

Blue Ridge CTC offers an industry-focused approach to learning, leading to a path-breaking career and continuing education opportunities.

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    4000+

    Students Per Semester

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    60+

    Degree and Certificate Programs

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    14:1

    Student-Faculty Ratio

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    Fully

    Accredited

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What You Experience at Blue Ridge CTC

Blue Ridge CTC acts as a catalyst to career goals, gives students exposure to real-time career prospects, and provides a learning environment supporting personal and professional growth.

World-class Pedagogy That Shapes Future Leaders!

Effective faculty is the backbone of any school. Our faculty are committed teachers and scholars who:

Deliver real-world learning to shape a students’ job market competency.

Impart teaching that promotes creativity and sets the base for further 4-year programs.

Extend a smart learning model that raises job prospects.

Integrate best-in-class learning formats and resources to drive focused learning.

Student Support Services and Spaces for Balanced Learning!

We provide comprehensive Student Support Services to promote student success.

Student Services provides a variety of support, including tutoring, accessibility accommodations, and more!

We provide high-tech classes, supporting labs, and study areas to promote a balanced education.

We recognize talent and celebrate performance with awards and acknowledgments.

We have supportive staff to help with personal, professional, and academic challenges.

Placement Assistance to Nurture Careers!

We support students from admission through the career search! Career Services assists students:

Find the right kind of job with a career inventory assessment.

Get assistance on resume writing and referral to participating employer partners.

With interview preparation to boost their morale and get prepared with the right narration to win job negotiations.

Get a holistic learning environment, where they are nurtured to become the next set of professionals entering the workforce.

Promoting Equity to Develop an Intercultural College Environment!

As a community of students, faculty, staff, and external stakeholders, we strive for diversity, equity, and inclusion on our campuses, both inside and outside of the classroom.

Campus diversity encourages open dialogue on campus.

Equity removes barriers and ensures equal opportunities are afforded to all.

Our campus offers an inclusive, welcoming environment where all are valued, celebrated, and included.

The campus community promotes diversity and inclusion through a variety of speakers and events.

Hands-on Training and Internship Opportunities

We are committed to providing students with real-time training and internship opportunities to enter the workforce directly after graduating.

We provide industry expert instruction to strengthen job-specific skills needed for real-world challenges.

We assist students with internship opportunities to find their way to a successful career.

We provide industry-certified expert supervision and guidance to raise students’ job prospects in the Government and Private sectors.

Our campus is well equipped with state-of-the-art laboratories, machinery, hardware, and software required to provide the technical skills needed for real jobs.

Our Learner’s Voice

Learn more about alumni who successfully reached their goals by earning an education at Blue Ridge CTC!

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Worried About Paying for College? Many Options Exist for Financial Aid

Blue Ridge CTC provides need-based financial aid to qualified applicants, ensuring all students have equal access to quality education.

Whether you are a student worrying about tuition fees or are a parent assisting a child paying for college, we have a wide variety of financial resources available.

    • State and Federal Grant Programs 
    • Student Work-Study Opportunities 
    • Student Loans 
    • Special Grant Funding Opportunities
    • Blue Ridge CTC Foundation Scholarship opportunities

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Have Questions? Talk With an Admissions Counselor Today!

Admissions Counselors and Academic Advisors at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College help students navigate career paths throughout their academic career.

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Expand Your Choices

Explore other program options that may meet your skills, talents, and personal qualities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions about our Early Childhood associate degree? We can help!

Our 2-year Early Childhood Associate’s Degree Program can be pursued by anyone interested in a direct entry into real-world jobs within the early childhood care specializations. Admissions requirements include a high school diploma or equivalent and a complete application packet. Students who have earned credits at other Colleges or Universities must also provide official copies of those transcripts. There is also a $25 application fee that can be paid at any time once an application is submitted.
Beginning with our degree provides options for students to target specific goals in a short amount of time. Students who are seeking direct workforce entry positions train in 1-2 years and are qualified for many lucrative career opportunities available in the local economy. Our programs incorporate real-world skills and content-specific knowledge needed to successfully land the career of dreams.
While exploring career options that include an Early Childhood associate degree , you should consider the time to complete, cost of tuition, and quality of the instruction provided. If you need additional insight into career options, you should complete a free career inventory assessment to explore options that align with personal and professional interests. When selecting a program, start by deciding if your goal is to move directly into the workforce or transfer to a four-year school. Once you have a plan, look for programs or Associate degree schools that align with that goal.
Our associate degree programs do not require ACT or SAT scores to qualify for admission. Students may need ACT or SAT scores, or free placement testing to qualify for courses such as English, Math, or Chemistry. Placement testing can be scheduled at any time during the application process.
Yes, our associate degree as an Early Childhood Specialist can enable students to become prepared for a career as pre-school childcare centers, teacher’s aids, and other positions within childcare centers serving children up to age 6.
With our degree, students learn core concepts and theories linked to early childhood education. Students learn to develop age appropriate curriculum and activities within a classroom. Our program also assists to prepare students for supervisory roles in the childcare workforce.

Disclaimer

Note: All salary projections are based on the current position and educational needs. BRCTC cannot guarantee that job titles or the projections given will be the salaries students or graduates will ultimately receive. Two year completion is approximate and based on full-time enrollment. Student testimonials, income statements, and examples on the College website are the results of real students. These testimonials are not intended to guarantee that anyone will achieve the same or similar results. Each individual’s success depends on his or her desire, commitment, dedication, and motivation to pursue academic and workforce opportunities. Testimonials are not intended to create a contract between a student and the College.

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